Mumbai:
Self-styled godwoman Radhe Maa, neck deep in allegations that she deceived her devotees and even instigated a woman's torture for dowry, today told the media: "I am pure and pious, I have never hurt anybody."
Here are 10 developments in the story:
Complaining about "unnecessary trouble," Radhe Maa said that devotees believed she could perform miracles but that was not true. "I am deeply attached to the media, police and law. God is also with me," she said before two followers firmly blocked her from view, drew curtains and wheeled her away.
Radhe Maa's statement comes a day after summons to her by the police in Mumbai in connection with a dowry harassment case filed by a 32-year-old woman. The police say they have asked her to appear for questioning on Friday.
The woman has accused the "godwoman" of instigating her husband and his parents, who have been her followers for many years. An FIR or police complaint was registered against Radhe Maa and six others.
The woman has said that her husband's family tortured her on the "godwoman's" advice and forced her to serve Radhe Maa, do chores for her and give her massages.
Another complaint to the police accuses the "godwoman" of driving a poor family in Gujarat to suicide after failing to keep her promises to vastly improve their lot.
The complaint alleges that four members of the family in Kutch committed suicide and killed their three children on March 23, last year, after spending all their money on Radhe Maa and getting nothing in return.
Radhe Maa, 50, has also been booked for obscenity. Last week, her photographs in a red mini-skirt went viral on social media.
Radhe Maa is the name adopted by Sukhvinder Kaur, a mother of three children, who reportedly started calling herself a godwoman at 23. Many of her devotees credit her with supernatural powers.
In videos and pictures, Radhe Maa is seen dancing to Hindi film songs and hugging and kissing her devotees, dressed in what can best be described as bright red bridal attire. She carries a trident too.
In a tweet deriding the self-professed guru, veteran filmstar Rishi Kapoor said: "Make up, lipstick, eye shadow, jewellery et al. for discourses? Is that my friend Bappi Lahiri without his glasses?"
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